Silver-cleaner.



J. L. ENNIS.

. SILVER GLEANBR. APPLICATION FILED 23.25, 191's.

1 @?'782, Patented W, 1913.

(Emu L.ENN\5,

Snow Wow JOHN L. ENNIS, 0F READING. PENNSYLVANIA.

SILVER-CLEANER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 25, 1913. Seriahllo 150,479

To all whom it may concern lie it known that 1, JOHN L. ENNIS, a citizen of the l nited States, residing at 'lieading, in thecoimty of Berks and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Silver-Cleaners, of which. the follmving is a specification. 7

This invention relates to improvements in silver cleansing apparatus and the object in the present instance is to provida a device of the simplest construction, whereby articles of silver, or articles having silver plated surfaces may be thoroughly cleansed.

The cleausin is etlected through the combined action of an alkaline solution, and the two opposed electrolytically active metals which comprise the device.

The device consists of a flat metal plate having a pair of metal supporting members for the articles to be cleanse slidably arranged thereon. These metals are. such that when they, together with the silver articles to be cleansed, are placed in a suitable receptacle containing an alkaline solution, a galvanic action will be set up which will thoroughly cleanse the surfaces of the silver articles in contact with the sliding members.

The invention is more fully described in the following specification and clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which I have shown my device in perspective, resting in a suitable receptacle, shown by dotted lines.

The numeral 1 designates a flat sheet of metal whose longitinlinal edges 2 are bentinwardly toward the upper surface, to form a pa of longitiu'liiial grooves 3. This pan or plate is made of zinc The numeral 4 designates the sliding members, adapted to'support the silver articles to be cleansed. These members +l, of which I have shown two, are preferably made with flat upper surfaces 5 on which the articles to be cleansed are laid, and their ends 6 are bent downwardly and terminate in outwardly projecting lips 7 which fit loosely in, and are adapted to slide in the grooves 3 of the plate 1, and with which they will always be in contact. This sliding action of the supports, which will take.

place fnequently, due to the lose fit, will insure a. clean and positive contact at all times between said members and the plate 1. These members l are preferably made of aluminum, but may bemadc of any other suitable metal which will produce the same result.

The cleansing action is accomplished as follows: The silver articles to be cleansed are placed on the aluminum supporting members 4-. and the entire device is placed in any suitable receptacle. as shown by dotted lines 10 in the drawing, into which has been placed a solution of water, common salt and bicarbonate of soda in proportions to make the proper alkaline solution such as is well known and commonly used in connection with devices of this character. The usual galvanic action. setup through the combined action of the zinc plate, the aluminum supporting members and the alkaline solution. will etl'ect the cleansing of the silver articles in contact with the aluminum supports by this well known action, and remove therefrom all surface discolora' tions and tarnish.

The device is extremely simple and cheap and may be used in any suitable receptacle large enough to receive it together with the solution.

Having thus fully described the invention, I claim 1 1. A device for cleansing silver metal articles comprising a lint sheet of zinc having its longitudinal edges bent up to form a pair of longitudinal grooves, and a plurality of aluminum, metal supporting members formed with lips engaging said grooves,

said members being longitudinally slidable in said grooves.

In a device of the character described, the combination of a flat plate made of zinc having its longitudinal edges bent to form longitudinal grooves, and a pair of aluminum members formed with lips engaging said grooves and in constant contact with the surface of said plate, said members being longitiulinally adjustable in said grooves.

In a device of the character described, the combination of a receptacle for holding an alkaline solution, a flat sheet of zinc Patented @ct. a, rare.

having its longitudinal edges'bent to form c4 pair of longitudinal grooves, a pair of aluminum Supporting me1nbers"for the articles to be cleansed, said members having their ends bentto form lips, said lips being inslidable engagement with the grooves on the plate and in constant contact, with said plate, whereby a galvanic action is set up to effect .alcleansing of the articles in contact with said aluminum supporting members.

In testimony whereof I: aflix my eigna- I ture in presence of two \i'itnesses.

' JOHN L. EXXIS.

itnesses B1). A; KELLY, CLARA E. XOUNG. 

